Lightest & Most Compact Tripod for Wista 45SP that is Also Reasonably Priced?

[Wista45SP]

I just bought my first 4x5 camera, a Wista 45SP w/ Schneider APO-Symmar 135mm f/5.6 lens, and am planning on using my Bogen tripod which is an older aluminum tripod that is really sturdy and thus heavy. I am looking for a lighter tripod that I can strap to the side of my Lowepro camera backpack for certain circumstances like hikes, etc. I am looking for the lightest and most compact tripod that can be purchased for ~$100.00 used. Does anything exist like this?

Thank you for any recommendations!

[Drew Wiley]

No, not new at least. But you might be able to find a bargain on something used.

[Doremus Scudder]

For years I've used a lightweight Manfrotto 3205 and the 3-way 3025 head for my wooden Wistas (45D, 45SW). They are plenty sturdy for me. I carried the tripod strapped to my bicylcle and my camera kit in a backpack for hundreds of miles in Europe. Maybe something similar will work for you. This combination is still my go-to hiking and biking tripod.

FWIW, I prefer the 3025 head to heads with long handles and ball heads. It's now renamed to "056 3d Junior"; though it's robust enough for heavy cameras. It gives you the flexibility of both. The tripod is a bit too short for me at times, but you can set it up with the legs a bit closer together for a few extra inches in a pinch.

Best,

Doremus

[Wista45SP]

No, not new at least. But you might be able to find a bargain on something used.

Right...
"I am looking for the lightest and most compact tripod that can be purchased for ~$100.00 used."

[Wista45SP]

For years I've used a lightweight Manfrotto 3205 and the 3-way 3025 head for my wooden Wistas (45D, 45SW). They are plenty sturdy for me. I carried the tripod strapped to my bicylcle and my camera kit in a backpack for hundreds of miles in Europe. Maybe something similar will work for you. This combination is still my go-to hiking and biking tripod.

FWIW, I prefer the 3025 head to heads with long handles and ball heads. It's now renamed to "056 3d Junior"; though it's robust enough for heavy cameras. It gives you the flexibility of both. The tripod is a bit too short for me at times, but you can set it up with the legs a bit closer together for a few extra inches in a pinch.

Best,

Doremus

Now this is what I am looking for, thanks! How do you strap it to your bike?

[Tin Can]

I strapped mine to a rear rack, the camera went in Ortlieb bags.

Now I use a trailer.

I prefer a tripod with spikes.


Now this is what I am looking for, thanks! How do you strap it to your bike?

[Peter Lewin]

In my bicycle racing days the saying was “light, cheap, strong; you can have any two of three.” This also applies to tripods and heads. I went for light and strong, and for traveling or the lightest pack I use an FLM Traveler tripod and their CB 38FT ball head (which works somewhat like a 3-way head) for my Canham 4x5. One of our members, Ari of FLMCanada.com is the importer, and B&H carries the full line. There are quite a few compact “travel” tripods that can probably handle a lightweight 4x5, at least as long as it is not too windy. For regular use any of the larger CF tripods will work, mine is one of the Gitzo “Reporter” series. My approach has been to buy something really good, and use it forever, rather than save money up front, but keep trading up later.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Now this is what I am looking for, thanks! How do you strap it to your bike?

Some things you just have to find on your own. Good Luck.

[Chester McCheeserton]

see if you can find a Bogen/manfrotto 3001 set of legs and a 3030 head

[esearing]

You pay more for cheap tripods in the long run. But until you decide to invest in a long term model the one below has met my needs for over a year. A visit to your local camera shop may also turn up a bargain. Garage sales, thrift stores, and other used outlets can sometimes yield nice surprises.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1338147-REG/smith_victor_700502_720_ball_head_tripod.html/specs

I had to shim the ballhead to make it more stable because the tape shims from the manufacturer were not placed properly, and finally replaced it with a 3 way head from manfrotto.

the 3021BN tripod I bought back in 2000 is still in great shape, but a bit heavy for long hikes. I see them used for < $100

[Two23]

For LF a tripod and head are pretty critical. I'm betting the tripod you buy a few months after the cheap one will be the one you end up with. I would budget $250 as a minimum.

Kent in SD

[Tin Can]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?111668-Lightest-and-most-compact-tripod-for-minimal-4x5-kit&p=1116315&viewfull=1#post1116315

[Wista45SP]

Thanks everyone. I may just wait a bit and get a nice one.

[Eric Woodbury]

I used a Star D for my early LF days. Worked fine. Not heavy. Aluminum. I changed the knobs to make them bigger, easier to tighten and un-. There's one on Craigslist for $20. Good sticks.

[Jim Noel]

Look for a "Tiltall" originally manufactured by E.Leitz in the late 40's and still being made,often under other names. New approximately $100. Used about the same price. 50 years from now you can still be using it. I just gave one of mine i have owned since the 1950's to a daughter. She should be able to use it until she i ready to hand it down again. At one time it was also called "Star D". Not quite as good, but still a good solid tripod and head.

[Jim Noel]

I found you one.
https://www.ebay.com/i/143354385496?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=143354385496&targetid=593772063253&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9061214&poi=&campaignid=2086088136&mkgroupid=80059919711&rlsatarget=pla-593772063253&abcId=1141016&merchantid=113755349&gclid=Cj0KCQjww7HsBRDkARIsAARsIT7cn-7XrPvE9VzkMyB4x5hvekVGpulKEyhQW72BTI69a2oSj6moR1MaAnNuEALw_wcB

[Drew Wiley]

Those were certainly the poor man's favorite for quite awhile.

[Bob Salomon]

I found you one.
https://www.ebay.com/i/143354385496?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=143354385496&targetid=593772063253&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9061214&poi=&campaignid=2086088136&mkgroupid=80059919711&rlsatarget=pla-593772063253&abcId=1141016&merchantid=113755349&gclid=Cj0KCQjww7HsBRDkARIsAARsIT7cn-7XrPvE9VzkMyB4x5hvekVGpulKEyhQW72BTI69a2oSj6moR1MaAnNuEALw_wcB

Just be very careful which knob you rotate on that tripod while adjusting the column. Unless you like broken knuckles!

[Greg]

Adapt a hook to the the bottom of the center column and hang your camera bag or a plastic shopping bag full of rocks... You'd be surprised how much more sturdy and solid it makes the Tiltall. Have owned a few and the original Leitz ones seemed to be the best of the lot. Beware of cheaply made copies because they are nothing like the original Leitz ones. Once picked up a no-name copy at a garage sale. Although it looked great cosmetically, in use felt flimsy. Ended up throwing it away because it was frustrating to use in the field.

[Keith Fleming]

My Tiltall is by Leitz, but, as I recall, the original manufacturer was Marchioni--and that probably is not the correct spelling.

Keith

[Drew Bedo]

I use a Zone VI made by Wista; essentially a Wista 45DX. Under it I use a CF Velbon El Carmagne 540 tripod with a Gitzo Gi77M magnesium alloy ball head. This is a lightweight combination that is just stable enough for the little Wista/Zone VI with smaller lenses. I don't think it would work well for anything much heavier.

Both bought used some years ago. Saw one on e-Bay for under $100, pre-owned of course bag and all. Ball herad was a separate purchase, but don't recall what I paid. Often I get stuff as a bundle and can't separate out what each item cost me.

[Drew Bedo]

RE: Tilt-All.

I used a later model Star-D when I first brok into LF. Used it with a pre-anniversary Speed Graphic. Packed that kit into a Jan Sport book bag filled with hand cut layers of closed cell foam sleeping pad and spent several days at the Grand Canyon in the mid-1990s. It could have worked with my Zone VI I think. I liked that the three way action was built into the tripod, not a separate additional piece of equipment.

The Star-D worked OK. Light and strong, but developed a slight wobble later when a shim in the center post assembly wore out. I would like to have an E. Leitz version now to go with my M-3.

[Ari]

Spend a little more and get something great that will last you years:
https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?153270-New-FLM-Series-II-Tripods